Your Diamond-Buying Cheat Sheet

Let’s face it. Buying a diamond for an engagement ring or for any milestone jewellery is a big deal. It’s not only a major purchase, it’s also a major decision because you’re trying to get it right—the style, the carat weight, the sparkle! Most customers take about three months to find the perfect ring. While we can’t necessarily make the process faster, we can make it easier. Here’s a breakout of the tips our diamond experts share with their friends—and now, with you.

Weigh the pros and cons of larger carat weights.

While you may be envisioning a specific carat weight, bigger is not always the way to go. Is it important that the stone you buy is a precise carat weight—or would you be happy with a diamond that “reads” like that weight?

Carat is about weight, not size.

Prices increase exponentially as carat weight goes up.

A good place to start your search is with VS2 (very slightly included).

Carat weight is relative to finger size, setting size and diamond shape. Sometimes, smaller carat weights are the right choice.

Why are rounds more expensive? It’s complicated, but in essence it comes down to the established cutting standards. Round diamonds are the only shape with GIA-designated cut parameters. There are exacting standards for fancies, too, but these were determined by our own master craftspeople rather than the GIA.

Look at the paperwork.

This is a major purchase, so of course you want to know that what you’re buying is authentic, natural and conflict-free. We’ve always sold high-quality, conflict-free diamonds and we wouldn’t have it any other way.